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Anyone use Calipers to measure cards?

neenishneenish Posts: 559 ✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
Does anyone use a digital caliper to measure the size of sports cards to make sure they aren't trimmed?

Comments

  • Lothar52Lothar52 Posts: 2,664 ✭✭✭
    no but that is a GREAT idea......never thought of that!!
  • neenishneenish Posts: 559 ✭
    I'm going to use one. I just picked one up for $8.00 for a 6" version. It's supposed to be accurate to .001". I would think the grading companies would use a mechanical device to measure the cards.
  • Alfonz24Alfonz24 Posts: 3,114 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would think they use a mold slightly larger than the card's size to do a quick check. If it has too big of gap, then they would measure.
    #LetsGoSwitzerlandThe Man Who Does Not Read Has No Advantage Over the Man Who Cannot Read. The biggest obstacle to progress is a habit of “buying what we want and begging for what we need.”You get the Freedom you fight for and get the Oppression you deserve.
  • 5STAT5STAT Posts: 835
    gee...and don't forget that all the pack searchers use them to find thicker inserts too....

    used to work great in the 90's..and for the 1st few years of GU'd.

    some guys still use them to find "sticker" autos in packs........you ever go to a show and see guys with nothing but the best of the best inserts and hundreds of autos....yet never have many singles for sale?? hmmmmmmm
  • lawnmowermanlawnmowerman Posts: 19,477 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>gee...and don't forget that all the pack searchers use them to find thicker inserts too....

    used to work great in the 90's..and for the 1st few years of GU'd.

    some guys still use them to find "sticker" autos in packs........you ever go to a show and see guys with nothing but the best of the best inserts and hundreds of autos....yet never have many singles for sale?? hmmmmmmm >>



    ...and they are always very helpful in selling you the rest of the "dead packs". They will even cut some deals image

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  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Does anyone use a digital caliper to measure the size of sports cards to make sure they aren't trimmed? >>


    image

    Handy little device.

    But I would like to add that if a card is smaller doesn't necessarily mean it's been trimmed?

    mike
    Mike
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just thought I would throw in an analog item that was given to me by Alan Hager of ASA/Accugrade infamy.

    I never liked it - too large to carry around and play with. I kind of see it as an antique now.

    image

    mike
    Mike
  • BoopottsBoopotts Posts: 6,784 ✭✭
    My feeling on this is that you will simply cause yourself more headaches and grief if you get start taking measures to detect trimmed cards, etc., that aren't used by TPG companies (provided you're planning on sending them in). PSA, from what I can gather, checks the size of the card and (sometimes) the angle of the cut, and that's that. If you use anything other than these two techniques you run the risk of buying a card that is, in fact, trimmed (or one that will be considered trimmed if you send it in), or passing on a card that would get slabbed.

    Edit to add: A caliper would be impractical anyway, since you have to account for the natural bend in the card. If you used a caliper you'd probably decide that every vending card is 1/25" short.
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